Houston Dash see opportunity to grow sport with RGV FC affiliate

The Houston Dash will host their second home game away from BBVA Compass Stadium on Wednesday, Sept. 27 as they welcome the North Carolina Courage to HEB Park in Edinburg, Texas.

The match was initially postponed due to the threat of Hurricane Harvey and as explained by Dash president Chris Canetti – the club had to evaluate numerous challenges with a limited window as the team considered a new date and venue, due to the end of the regular season and scheduled international fixtures. The FIFA window will see Andressinha and Bruna Benites travel to Australia and goalkeeper Jane Campbell join the U.S. Women’s National team in Colorado and Ohio.

“Due to several different scheduling issues, we were unable to find a suitable date to play the game in Houston. As a result, we had to look at other markets. We looked at Dallas, San Antonio and the Rio Grande Valley. Given our partnership with RGV FC on the Dynamo side, our familiarity with their organization, and the quality of their facilities, we elected to move the match there in cooperation with league office and the Courage,” Canetti said. “We regret not being able to play it here but the circumstances created by Hurricane Harvey made it unavoidable. On a positive note, it provides our league, clubs and players the opportunity to gain valuable expanded exposure in an new market.”

This will be the first NWSL match held at HEB Park, a soccer-specific stadium that opened this March and can hold more than 9,700 fans. The partnership between RGV and the Houston Dynamo began in 2016 and continued to grow in 2017 as the Dynamo spent a portion of their preseason in McAllen. This partnership now extends to the Dash as they look forward to building on their most successful season to date with seven victories.

“To us, this is a unique opportunity to share the game with a new community,” interim head coach Omar Morales said. “We love playing at BBVA Compass Stadium, but with the limited window and other factors we understand why this decision was made. We look at this as an opportunity to bring the best soccer players to a market that only watches them on television. To be honest, our focus will shift to that game after Chicago. We still have a lot to play for and we have a responsibility to represent our city to the best of our ability and that begins at our next training session.”

Andressinha, Bruna and Campbell will join the team prior to its final home game of the 2017 NWSL regular season at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 23 as Houston hosts Morgan Brian, Christen Press and the Chicago Red Stars for their third meeting of the regular season.